ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Minority Affairs
National Commission for Minorities takes cognizance of a complaint regarding not allowing a candidate to wear Karah in NEET 2021 examination.
The National Commission for Minorities  has taken cognizance of a complaint from Shri Bhupinder Singh regarding not allowing his son to wear Karah in NEET 2021 examination in Government Model School, Sector 19-D, Chandigarh, whereas other students wearing silver Karah were allowed with tape fixing.
The NCM in a Press Note in New Delhi today said, since the incident involves persons belonging to minority community, the Commission has called for a factual report in the matter from Chandigarh Administration and National Testing Agency who conducted the NEET 2021 examination.
The Press Note stated that the NCM formed under NCM Act, 1992, has been, inter-alia, entrusted with the responsibility to look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of Minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Projects under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme 
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region  has sanctioned 145 projects worth Rs.3,392.99 crore for the North Eastern States under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme , out of which completion certificates of 02 projects worth Rs.50.90 crore have been received from the State Governments, as on 20.07.2022. State-wise and year-wise details of the projects sanctioned under NESIDS are given in Table-I and Table-II below:
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Table-I
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S. No.
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State
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Projects Sanctioned
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Projects Completed
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No.
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Cost
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No.
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Cost
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1.
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Arunachal Pradesh
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29
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623.87
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0
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0
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2.
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Assam
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33
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880.82
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0
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0
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3.
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Manipur
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18
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341.32
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1
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29.94
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4.
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Meghalaya
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12
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340.50
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0
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0
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5.
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Mizoram
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17
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345.38
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0
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0
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6.
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Nagaland
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17
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333.62
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1
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20.96
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7.
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Sikkim
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8
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214.51
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0
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0
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8.
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Tripura
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11
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312.97
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0
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0
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Total
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145
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3,392.99
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2
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50.9
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Table-II
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S. No.
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Financial Year
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Projects Sanctioned
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No.
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Cost
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1.
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2018-19
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37
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1,119.55
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2.
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2019-20
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36
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601.62
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3.
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2020-21
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17
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491.71
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4.
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2021-22
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55
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1,180.11
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Total
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145
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3,392.99
The following three projects costing more than Rs.100 crore have been sanctioned under NESIDS:
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S. No.
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Project
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Date of Sanction
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Cost
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1.
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Upgradation of 132 KV Surjamaninagar Sub-Station into 400 KV in Tripura
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07-10-2019
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120.88
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2.
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Construction of Double Lane Road from Lanka to Umrangso via Diyungmukh, Haflong Tinali and Panimur, Assam
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04-05-2021
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227.17
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3.
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Alternate Gravity Water Supply Scheme of Aizawl, Mizoram
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04-12-2018
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114.20
Under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources  scheme, out of 1,642 sanctioned projects worth Rs.17,470.99 crore, 1,278 projects worth Rs.10,919.76 crore have been completed by 20.07.2022. The completion of the project is impacted by various factors including working season, locations of the projects' sites, local conditions, etc. which vary from project to project.
Since 2017 till date, North Eastern Council , which is a statutory regional planning body under the administrative control of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, has entered into eight Memorandum of Understanding  amounting to around Rs.13.28 crore in the sectors of Agriculture, Culture, Education, Science & Technology and tourism.
This information was given by Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
DoPT relaxes LTC facility for the government employees to travel by Air to visit J&K, Ladakh, North Eastern Region and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Travel relaxation has been extended up to 25th September 2022: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Government employees can avail LTC for these places in lieu of a hometown LTC
For ease of travel, employees can travel to these areas even by private Airlines
DoPT  has issued orders relaxing the Leave Travel Concession  facility for the government employees to travel by Air to visit Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, North Eastern Region and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that this relaxation has been extended up to 25th September 2022.
As a consequence, to this circular, Dr Jitendra Singh said that an entitled government official can avail LTC for visiting Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern Region, Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar in lieu of a hometown LTC.
In addition, the facility of Air journey to non-entitled government servants will be available for visiting Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern Region, Ladakh and Andaman &Nicobar Islands. As a further convenience, ease of travel permission is also being granted to undertake journey to these areas by private Airlines, whereas normally a government servant is expected to travel by the state owned Air India, he added.
Pertinent to mention that in relaxation to Central Civil Services  Rules 1988, the scheme allowing government servants to travel by Air to visit Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Union Territory of Ladakh, the North Eastern States and Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands has been extended for a period of two years till 25th September 2022.
Describing this as a huge and an exclusive facility for the government employees, Dr Jitendra Singh said that all eligible government servants may avail LTC to visit Jammu & Kashmir or North East or any of these mentioned areas against the conversion of their one Home Town LTC in a four-year block. However, the government servants whose hometown and place of posting is the same, are not allowed this conversion. He said, such government servants who are not otherwise entitled to travel by Air will also be allowed to travel by Air, under the norms of this scheme, in Economy class by any Airlines, subject to the maximum fare limit of LTC-80 scheme.
Ever since the Modi government took over in 2014, said Dr Jitendra Singh, it has been the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give priority to the far flung and difficult regions, and do whatever possible for ease of living and ease of governance in these areas.
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Government to send trade delegations to Morocco, Tunisia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Algeria and Lebanon for exploring possibilities of boosting wheat exports from India
Department of Commerce to organise a series of meetings on exports in major wheat growing states
APEDA holds stakeholders’ meet for wheat export promotion in Karnal, Haryana
The Centre will send trade delegations to Morocco, Tunisia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Algeria and Lebanon for exploring possibilities of boosting wheat exports from India. India has set a target of a record 10 million tonnes of wheat in the 2022-23 amid rising global demand for the grain globally. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has already set up a task force on wheat exports with representatives from various ministries, including commerce, shipping and railways, and exporters under the aegis of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority .
The Department of Commerce has also planned to organise a series of such sensitization meetings on exports in major wheat growing states such as Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The APEDA organised one such interactive meeting with various stakeholders including farmers, traders and exporters in Karnal, Haryana for promotion of wheat export and ensuring shipment of quality produce. The stakeholders meet was organised in collaboration with ICAR-Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, where experts discussed opportunities and challenges in the sphere of wheat export.
There is a rise in the demand for Indian wheat in the global market, farmers, traders and exporters have been advised to follow all the quality norms of importing countries so that India emerges as a reliable supplier of wheat globally. “We are extending our support to all the stakeholders in the wheat exports value chain for boosting shipment from the country,” Shri M Angamuthu, Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority , said. According to estimates by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, India has exported a record 7 million tonne  of wheat in 2021-22 which is valued at $ 2.05 billion. Out of the total shipment around 50% of wheat was exported to Bangladesh in the last fiscal.
Recently, Egypt, which is one of the world’s biggest importers of wheat, had agreed to source wheat from India. Egyptian authorities have put India as one of the origins for this strategic commodity. Egypt imported 6.1 MT of wheat in 2021 and India was not part of the list of accredited countries which can export wheat to Egypt. More than 80% of Egypt’s wheat imports estimated to be close to $ 2 billion in 2021 were from Russia and Ukraine. APEDA has already communicated to exporters to register with Egypt’s public procurement agency – General Authority of Supplies and Commodities, which manages wheat and sugar imports to the north African country.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Steps to strengthen the Healthcare System in India
National Rural Health Mission  supplements the efforts of the State/UT governments to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to all those who access public health facilities
States are supported for several interventions towards strengthening the primary healthcare services in the country under National Health Mission
The healthcare system of the country involves a three-tier system with Sub Health Centre , Primary Health Centre  and Community Health Centre  as the three pillars of Primary Health Care System in India. Rural Health Statistics  is an annual publication, based on Health care administrative data reported by States/UTs.
Similarly, District Hospital , Sub-District Hospital  and First Referral Unit - Community Health Centres provide secondary care services whereas Medical Colleges and State-level Institutions provide tertiary care services.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare facilities. To address the healthcare challenges, particularly in rural areas, the National Rural Health Mission  was launched in 2005 to supplement the efforts of the State/UT governments to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to all those who access public health facilities. Currently, NRHM is a sub-mission of National Health Mission .
Support is provided to states/UTs under the National Health Mission  for strengthening of health care facilities as per norms based on the requirements posed by them in their Programme Implementation Plans  and within their overall resource envelope. Under NHM, States are supported for several interventions towards strengthening the primary healthcare services in the country.
XV-Finance Commission Health Grants through Local Government announced as part of Union Budget 2021-22, for strengthening the healthcare system at primary healthcare level, has recommended grants aggregating to Rs. 70,051 Crores over the period of five years  through local government to strengthen the healthcare system in states.
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission  with an outlay of Rs. 64,180 Crores aims to fill critical gaps in public health infrastructure especially in critical care facilities and primary care in both urban and rural areas. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with some Central Sector components. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme  Components includes support for infrastructure development for Sub-Health Centres, Urban Health and Wellness Centres, Support for Block Public Health Units, Integrated District Public Health Laboratories and Critical Care Hospital Blocks.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
VACCINE VIAL MONITORING
Studies at various ambient temperature and duration are required to finalize when the vaccine reaches end point beyond which it cannot be used to decide the type of Vaccine Vial Monitoring  to be used. VVM is manufactured by a single offshore manufacturer and in view of the global urgency to use COVID-19 vaccine upon development, requirement of very high volumes of VVM and limited production capacity, COVID-19 vaccines are used without VVM across the world.
The National Regulator i.e. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, has approved the shelf life of 9 months for Covishield vaccine and 12 months for Covaxin & Sputnik vaccine from the date of manufacture. Government of India has issued suitable guidelines and training material highlighting appropriate storage, handling and administration of Covid-19 vaccines.
The storage and transportation of COVID-19 vaccines from the manufacturer up to the Covid-19 Vaccination Center  is ensured in a temperature-controlled environment at 2-8 degree Celsius. A robust Cold Chain Network of around 29,000 cold chain points along with insulated/refrigerated vaccine vans, Cold Boxes and Vaccine carries is used to ensure storage and transport of COVID-19 vaccines in a temperature-controlled environment. Monitoring of storage temperature is also done on real time basis so as to ensure maintenance of recommended storage temperature.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Union Road Transport Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari says, India will be a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles within five years
Union Minister for Road Transport& Highways and MSMEs Shri Nitin Gadkari has expressed confidence that in the next five years, India will become a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles. He said, the Government is trying to extend best possible concessions to this sector, and has lowered the GST on electrical vehicles to 12 per cent.
Addressing a webinar on ‘India's Electric Vehicle Roadmap post-COVID-19’ today, the Minister said, he was aware of the issues facing the EV sector, but was also sure of the things to change as the sales volumes increase. He said, the world is no more interested in doing business with China, which is a very good opportunity for Indian industry to pick up the shift in business.
Shri Gadkari said, with petroleum fuel being available in limited quantity, the world has to look for alternate and cheap sources of power. He said, electric and bio fuels stand a good chance for adoption. He also indicated towards the ensuing vehicle scrapping policy, and commented that it will give a fillip to auto manufacturing sector.
The Minister recalled the London model of public transport, where private and public investment is working well. He said, adopting similar approach will be beneficial for both the poor commuters and the civic administration. He indicated towards working on a pilot project for developing an electric highway on the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai Green Corridor.
Shri Gadkari expressed full confidence in the capabilities of the auto sector, and said, with consistency and self confidence in this economic crisis, it can gather good market opportunities. He also called upon the industry to go in for indigenisation and support Prime Minister's ‘AtmNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.’
Ministry of Finance
Dedicated Helpdesk by CBIC for Handholding Trade, Industry and Individuals
to expedite Customs Clearance of Imports related to COVID including Oxygen and oxygen related equipments etc
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs  has set up dedicated helpdesk to handle queries related to Covid related Imports and handhold the trade, industry and individuals for expeditious customs clearance. As you are aware, the Government of India is committed to ensure seamless and quick customs clearance of COVID related imports, so that it reaches the users/beneficiaries in time.
Queries and requests are being received by the Department from various quarters. These relate to availability of duty exemption benefits, to clearance procedures, registration requirements from various ministries etc. In order to streamline this process and cater to all the queries and grievances of the trade, a dedicated cell I has been set up by the CBIC.
To handhold the trade relating to clearances, an online form has been created under this URL  to seek details in a structured format and redress the grievances,at the earliest. For general queries, the users may send an email through icegatehelpdesk@icegate.gov.in or call up toll free number 1800-3010-1000. The requests being received at Helpdesk will be closely monitored for early resolution.
Further, to resolve the grievances at the local level, zonal level nodal officers have also been nominated and this list can be found in the following URL .
Shri Gaurav Masaldan, Joint Secretary, Customs will be the nodal officer in the CBIC for appropriate resolution of grievances and expeditious clearances of goods, relating to Covid related equipment and raw materials, especially oxygen and oxygen related equipment In case of non- resolution of grievances through the helpdesk or zonal officers, the same may be escalated by way of a self-explanatory SMS or Whatsapp on his number : 9810619628 or email: masaldan.gaurav[at]nic[dot]in .
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Ministry of Jal Shakti
All households in remote corner of Arunachal Pradesh getting tap connections under Jal Jeevan Mission
This is a powerful image depicting transportation of pipes to the remote Hiba village in Kurung Kumey district of Arunachal Pradesh, where the only available means of transportation  in fair weather is used. Under Jal Jeevan Mission , every rural household is to be provided with a Functional Household Tap Connection  ensuring adequate and safe drinking water on a regular basis, including such remote villages. Hiba is one such remote village in Arunachal Pradesh and reaching it is an arduous journey starting with a road journey of 330 Kms  from the capital city of Itanagar to Langrh, the HQ of Nyobia circle and another 25 Kms from there on earthen road. To add to the already existing challenges of altitude, tough terrain and poor road infrastructure, the area receives 7 months of rainfall making it further difficult to transport the construction materials for developmental activities.
Further, due to COVID-19 pandemic, Arunachal Pradesh is facing difficulties in implementation of schemes as many villages have barricaded themselves and are not allowing outsiders to enter to the villages. Despite such challenges, the PHE Department is geared to achieve the vision of ‘Jal Jeevan Mission: Har Ghar Jal’ in the State by 2023. The officials got in touch with village communities and explained the role of Gram Panchayats/ communities in planning, implementation, managing, operating and maintaining their own water supply systems and encouraged their participation accordingly. They further engaged them as masons, plumbers, electricians, etc. in implementation of the water supply scheme. This is in true spirit of JJM, viz. emphasis on decentralized, demand-driven and community-managed implementation of the programme instilling 'sense of ownership' for long-term sustainability of the water supply system.
With such consistent and painstaking efforts, all 51 households of Hocho, Rello and Sara habitations have been provided with household tap connections.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Minister for DoNER Shri G. Kishan Reddy attends the launch of a Special Skill Development Initiative for the North East Region
Minister said that the Scheme would prove to be Game Changer for the Youth of the North East Region
Transforming Lives, Building Futures Initiative will equip the Youth with Skills and provide Opportunities and help tap into the Unlimited Potential of Region in sectors like Agri-Horti, Tourism, services etc
Minister for DoNER, Tourism and Culture Shri G Kishan Reddy today attended the launch of a special skill development initiative for the North East Region by the Ministry of Skill Development - ‘Transforming Lives, Building Futures’- Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in North East, in presence of Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, MoS for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrashekhar.
Minister appreciated skill ministry for the initiative which would usher in a new dawn in skill development and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region. He further added that the program will prove to be a game changer for 2.5 lakh youth in the region and also give wings to the aspirations and dreams of the North East Region.
He further added that this initiative will not only provide youth a distinct place in the Domestic and International Job Market, but will also empower entrepreneurs to take North East to newer heights.
Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that establishing a robust skill and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region will help tap into the immense potential of the region in sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, tourism, services, IT etc. He added that, a skilled and talented workforce will be the key to developing the North East Region as the growth engine of India.
Shri Reddy reiterated the firm belief of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi that India cannot develop without the development of the North Eastern Region. He said that over the past 9 years, path breaking efforts have been undertaken in connectivity and infrastructure. He further added that more than 5 lakh crore have been spent in the last 9 years which has accelerated the pace of unprecedented development in the NER.
Highlighting few achievements in infrastructure, he stated that till 2014 there were only 9 airports, but today NER has 17 airports, giving a boost to tourism and mobility. He said that work is going on road projects worth more than 1.02 lakh crores and about Rs 82,000 crore has already been spent for railway connectivity. Citing the rapid pace of work he said that work is ongoing on 121 Railway Tunnels. He added that the government is working on the target of full telecom connectivity to the North Eastern region within 500 days - which is targeted by the end of 2023.
Prime Minister's Office
US National Security Advisor calls on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
NSA Sullivan briefs PM on the progress in various sectors of bilateral cooperation
He conveys that President Biden looks forward to welcoming PM on the State Visit
PM expresses satisfaction at the growing and deepening India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership
PM conveys that he looks forward to an engaging conversation with President Biden
US National Security Advisor, H.E. Mr. Jake Sullivan, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.
NSA Sullivan briefed Prime Minister on the progress in various sectors of bilateral cooperation. He conveyed that the US President Biden looked forward to welcoming Prime Minister on the State Visit.
PM expressed satisfaction at the growing and deepening Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US.
Prime Minister said that he looked forward to a productive visit and an engaging conversation with President Biden on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.